Posterior Vitreous Detatchment

[Startrek]

Had a bit of a scare last week, flashes across my peripheral vision in the right eye at night and constant floaters through the day


Took a trip straight to the Sydney eye hospital and had a full eye test carried out


I have PVD in my right eye which is basically 'debris' in the vitreous fluid or gel surrounding the retina ( the eyes sensor at the rear of the eye ) which causes the retina to be tugged or pulled away from its membrane as the eye ball moves in certain positions.


In extreme circumstances the retina can tear or permanently detach in which case causes loss of clear vision ( like a curtain over your vision ) and requires urgent reattachment or repair through laser treatment ( 4 to 6 weeks to return to almost normal vision again )



Apparently this condition is quite common with the over 50's who have myopia ( short sighted ). There is no cure or prevention only regular eye tests to ensure the retina is not torn or detached


Any way still got one good eye and gotta make the most of it, not only with astronomy but life in general


I would like to hear from any IIS members who have experienced or are experiencing PVD


Cheers

[snowyskiesau]

About two months ago I had the same symptoms, flashes in the right eye and a large floater. Went to the optometrist for an overdue visit and she referred me to the ophthalmologist the same day.

I was also told that it's not uncommon in someone my age (65) and that the flashes would go away in 4 to 6 weeks (they did) but the floater would remain (it has!).
THere was a big difference in the appearance between the eyes so was sent for a carotid artery ultrasound to check that blood flow was OK which it was. The condition was put down to my diabetes.
Two months on after a follow up, I was told all is well, or as well as it can be for an old bloke!


Regards
Geoff

[Lee]

With previously completely normal vision, I had a possibly spontaneous (possibly from a dog nose impact) retinal detachment 2 years ago - no fun whatsoever.... especially as I sort of ignored it for a week or two until I couldn't read with that eye.... I had surgery to correct it, and it is pretty good now, but not perfect. I'm now wondering if some of the aberrations in my old dob are the scope or my eye!

[5ash]

Hi Martin,
As you say quite common and often annoying for older people.i had a cataract operation go wrong , the lens fell back out of its capsule. The implant lens was inserted and I had to go to Sydney for the lens to be removed and removal of the vitreous humour(jelly) , a vitreoectmy. The vitreous remaining on the retina detached leaving a transparent blob floating in my vision ( sounds worse than it is) ,it’s rarely noticeable. As a by product of this detachment I experience the occasional floater in my vision.i have had this condition for 14 years and only recently have developed an epiretinal membrane causing my macular to wrinkle a bit causing vertical lines to show a small amount of distortion. I wouldn’t worry about retinal detachment I think it’s very unlikely in your case.
Regards philip

[okiscopey]

In 2009 I experienced a fairly sudden onset of vitreous detachment in the left eye which produced irregular diffraction-like flare around bright lights, but no significant floaters.

Within a few months I had a ‘vitrectomy and membrane peel’ by an excellent Sydney surgeon (PM me for details) with great results and quick recovery.

It was a fascinating operation: I was conscious of the whole procedure seen in shadow-play, including the extraction of the vitreous and the small snippers cutting the epiretinal membrane that had formed. The vitreous was replaced with ‘expensive water’ and it’s been all good for the past nine years, still with no significant floaters.

Straight lines are still wonky due to permanent distortion of the retina, and the operation did bring on ‘galloping myopia’ (as predicted) which was fixed a couple of years later by routine cataract surgery.

My right eye also now has linear distortion and I have a check-up every six months, but if there’s vitreous detachment it’s not where it causes problems and seems to be pretty stable.

As you say, it’s not that rare a condition, but people still get it mixed up with retinal detachment or macular degeneration.

[Saturnine]

In the same boat as you other old blokes. Started getting flashes and large floaters in my right eye ( my observing eye ) 2 years ago, went to the optometrist who sent me to the ophthalmologist who diagnosed PVD. Basically told that not much can be done and have had a check up since then and due for another soon.
Am getting a few faint flashes in my left eye and more noticeable small floaters too. My right eye, when observing, is like looking through a thin gauze and has lost about a magnitude in detection of faint stars etc. compared to my left and is really a nuisance when trying to lunar observing with these horrible floaters. My better eye will probably only get worse as well, not happy. Trying to learn to use my left for observing is not easy after using the right one all my observing life of 50 + years.
Have found that using binoviewers helps to cancel out some of the floaters somewhat on bright extended objects.

[Nikolas]

I have that as well, it has settled down now (took 2 months) and I only seem to get the occasional flash here or there. No floaters however.
I have perfect vision apart from needing reading glasses, I'm 54.If your retina hasn't detached by now it most likely won't. The ravages of getting older. the beauty of it was my ophthalmologist suffered the same thing so he knew what i was going through.
It settles.

[RyanJones]

Hi Martin,

When I was in my early 20's I had a poke in the eye while plying basketball. I couldn't see at all in my left eye for a day or so. When my vision came back it was quite blurry so I went to an optometrist. Result was a partially dislodged retina. I'm now 38 and might as well be blind in my left eye. Still got my right one though :thumbsup:

[ZeroID]

Floaters .... in my one goodish right eye. Which I damaged about 30 years ago when the tip of a craft knife broke and nicked the lens surface. I've dealt with flares in that eye since and now age is starting to add other problems.
Surprisingly, I see better at night when the pupil opens up so the floater size is a smaller % of the pupil size. Still no good for bright stars as I see an almost comet like shape so fine focussing can be more than a bit of a problem. It's one of he reasons I switched to imaging, visual is no good as I can't separate doubles or see faint stars at all.
Very frustrating ...

[Exfso]

Had something similar a couple of years back, the specialist had to use a laser to weld the area back together, bloody hell did that hurt. Also have a nevus in the back of the right eye which is basically a mole, it is being monitored as they can turn into a melanoma.
Got floaters and have had for years, only really notice them when viewing with a bright background.:rolleyes:

[Startrek]

Many thanks to all ,

Looks like you have all managed to continue with this amazing hobby even through various set backs with your vision.
I feel a little more positive about my condition and won’t let it stop me observing and imaging the universe
My only regret ( if I can call it regret ) is that I started this hobby in retirement not in my 20’s , 30’s or 40’s or early 50’s , but the most important thing is that I made a start and enjoy every minute of it.

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply with your experiences
Cheers
Martin